Highlights
Athens and the Acropolis
The Parthenon and the other temples on the Acropolis rise above a busy modern capital. Pair them with the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum and evenings in the Plaka and Psyrri districts.
Santorini
A volcanic island built around a flooded caldera, with white villages such as Oia and Fira clinging to the cliff edge, black and red sand beaches and the excavated Bronze Age town of Akrotiri. Visit outside midsummer if you can.
Crete
Greece's largest island has the Minoan palace of Knossos, the Venetian harbours of Chania and Rethymno, mountain villages and the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's best-known hikes, as well as some of the country's best food.
Meteora
Monasteries perched on top of giant sandstone pillars in central Greece. Several are open to visitors, reached by steps cut into the rock; modest dress is required.
Delphi
The sanctuary of Apollo, home of the ancient oracle, sits on the slopes of Mount Parnassus with views down to the Gulf of Corinth. An excellent museum holds the finds.
The Peloponnese
A peninsula of ancient sites and quiet coast: Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; the theatre at Epidaurus; Mycenae; the Venetian town of Nafplio; and the fortified rock of Monemvasia.
The Ionian Islands
On the west coast, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos are greener than the Aegean islands, with Venetian-influenced towns and coves of turquoise water.
Thessaloniki
Greece's second city has Roman and Byzantine monuments, the White Tower on the seafront, a strong café culture and a reputation for some of the best food in the country.
Interesting facts about Greece
- Greece has around 6,000 islands and islets, but only about 200 or so are inhabited.
- No point in Greece is more than about 140 kilometres from the sea.
- Mount Olympus, legendary home of the gods, is the country's highest mountain at about 2,918 metres.
- Greek has been written for around 3,000 years, and many English words, from 'democracy' to 'telephone', come from it.
- Nodding the head upwards with a click of the tongue means 'no' in Greece, which can confuse first-time visitors.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October are the most pleasant months: warm seas, long days and fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are hot, ferries and islands are at their busiest, and the strong meltemi wind can make Aegean crossings choppy. Heatwaves sometimes close archaeological sites in the middle of the day. Winter is mild on the coast but many island hotels and tavernas close from November to April, while Athens, Thessaloniki and the mainland mountains stay open all year.
Practical information
| Capital | Athens |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | Greek |
| Plugs | Type C, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 for all emergencies; also 100 police, 166 ambulance, 199 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not obligatory. Leaving around 5 to 10 percent, or rounding up the bill in cash, is common in tavernas when service is good. |
Getting around
Ferries are the backbone of island travel, from slow conventional boats to faster catamarans, and timetables vary by season, so book ahead in summer. Domestic flights link Athens with Crete, Rhodes, Santorini and many other islands. On the mainland, long-distance KTEL buses cover most towns, and trains run between Athens and Thessaloniki. Athens has a metro, trams and buses; the metro runs to the airport and the port of Piraeus. Renting a car or scooter is the easiest way to explore larger islands, but roads can be narrow and winding.
Staying connected in Greece
4G coverage is good in Athens, Thessaloniki, the main towns and on the popular islands, and 5G is available in larger cities. Signal can be weak or absent in mountain areas, on remote islands and on some stretches of sea during ferry crossings. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and beach bars, and many ferries offer it, though often slowly. A working phone is useful for checking ferry changes. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Greece eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Greece
- Ferryhopper: Comparing ferry routes and timetables between the islands and booking tickets.
- FREE NOW: Booking licensed taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki through the app.
- Google Maps: Navigation and finding beaches and tavernas; download offline maps for islands and mountain roads.
- Google Translate: Reading the Greek alphabet on signs and menus; download Greek for offline use.